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As you may recall on March 1, 2017 the Visiting Nurse & Community Health Agency merged with the Greater Medford VNA to become Greater Medford Visiting Nurse & Community Health.

Over the past year we have worked hard to identify our new brand and logo.

We wanted to create a brand and name that symbolized our values and mission. The outer part of the logo represents our staff lending hands and aid to people in their homes which is at the center of the logo. We wanted the three pillars of our services- Home Health, Personal Care and Hospice clearly stated and be part of our brand. Our new name may be familiar, but we feel is significantly different because of the word “Care”. Care is what we do and what we provide to our community which now numbers 63 cities and towns in the north and west suburban Boston area.

The two former agencies had histories that dated back to 1899 and 1900 respectively. We are excited to be able to provide independent home health care to the communities we have served for the past century into the coming century and beyond.

If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 781-643-6090 or visit our new web site at www.thevisitingnurses.com.

Greater Medford VNA and Visiting Nurse & Community Health set to merge

Medford, MA – February 22 2017 – Two venerable non-profit home care agencies serving a combined 52 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts have announced their intent to merge.

The plan to combine Greater Medford VNA, founded in 1900 in Medford, and Visiting Nurse & Community Health, founded in 1898 in Arlington, is currently under review by state regulators. Leaders of the two agencies anticipate that the merger will be approved on or before February 28, 2017.

The name of the merged organization will be Greater Medford Visiting Nurse & Community Health. The merged agency will consolidate its operations and administrative staff at 37 Broadway in Arlington, and will maintain its presence in Medford by opening a new satellite office there.

“This move to join forces represents a perfect strategic fit for both agencies, and will result in an organization that is better able to compete in today’s healthcare marketplace,” said Connors. “The added size and depth of resources will allow us to bring new levels of care to the patients, their families and the communities we both serve – a mission these two agencies have always had in common.”

Connors went on to list the complementary strengths that brought the two organizations together after almost two years of exploratory discussions. GMVNA has a growing private pay practice and a robust clinical coordination system. VNCH has significant rehabilitation therapy capabilities and an established hospice program, he said.

Connors expects an expanding private pay market and greater demand for hospice services to provide most of the combined agency’s growth over the next several years.

“This merger will broaden the scope of our service menu,” said Louise A Mallette, chairwoman of GMVNA, “and will ensure better continuity of care and even more comfort to our patients and their families.”

“We are delighted to have found a merger partner with such complementary strengths,” said Jane Puffer, chairwoman of VNCH. “Together, these two organizations will continue their 100-plus year commitment to provide the very best in community-based care.”

GMVNA is excited to announce that we were selected as a recipient of the 2016 Cummings Foundation 100K for 100! We plan to enhance our Community Nursing Programs which include Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Support Groups, Blood Pressure & Ask a Nurse Clinics, Flu Clinics, and Free Nursing Assessments for our Private Care division.

The Community Nurse Program addresses and provides necessary information by health care professional to vulnerable elderly populations through education, resources, prevention protocols and home safety assessments. This program is beneficial for the individual, families, communities and the overall health care service delivery system.

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Support Groups are held by a RN and PT for individuals suffering from Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. The support groups are held monthly for an hour and half at local community centers, churches and assisted living facilities. There are currently six support groups held each month by GMVNA. Providing this service is a necessary step to help people cope with the stress of managing these diseases. Members of the community learn about new treatments, share stories and work together to provide support and encouragement for one another.

The Ask a Nurse/Blood Pressure Clinics are held at local council on aging centers, churches, assisted living facilities, malls and community centers. There are currently eight clinics held each month for one to two hours. Each clinic provides free service to 100 attendees. The Registered Nurses who manage the clinics provide monitoring of blood pressure and give nursing advice to individuals who may not have access to physician offices.

The annual Flu Clinics are run by Registered Nurses, to patients aged 65 years and older. The clinics help to improve the health and well-being of patients and prevent the spread of the Flu throughout the community.

Free Nursing Assessments are provided by a RN to each patient in the comfort of their home. This service provides patients with a consultation and helps them identify available clinical and support resources within the community.

We couldn’t be more grateful to The Cummings Foundation for selecting us this year!

On June 26, 2014, the Greater Medford VNA was presented the “Business Partner of the Year” award by the Medford Council on Aging and Medford Senior Citizens, Inc., during their Volunteer Celebration.

Pam Kelly, Director of Elder Affairs, introduced Mayor McGlynn and he in turn presented the award to members of the Greater Medford VNA team.

Not only was a plaque, and silver plate with the Medford town seal engraved on it presented, but an official citation stating, “Be it hereby known to all that the Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Medford offers sincere congratulations to Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association in recognition of: Over 100 years of outstanding and dedicated service to the Medford Community. The people of Medford extend their very best wishes and express the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors”. The plaque read, “In Appreciation Of Your Outstanding and Dedicated Service to the Senior Citizens of Medford”.

William Connors, CEO said, “I am thrilled and humbled to receive this award. The Greater Medford VNA sees itself as a partner to the Medford COA in serving the citizens of Medford. We have been serving Medford residents for over 114 years and our mission has remained the same to provide the compassionate and high quality home care to our patients. The work of people like Mary Napoli and Lynn Schuster from our agency is a prime example of this high mission and standard.”

The Volunteer Celebration recognized the “Volunteer of the Year” and “Retiree” also. The Delvena Theatre Company presented “The Incredible Mae West”, which was enjoyed by many attendees.

Medford VNA, a non-profit, has been offering Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medical Social Work, Certified Nursing, Transportation and Companion Services to members of the community for over 100 years.

GMVNA services all of the Middlesex County and parts of Essex and Suffolk Counties.

Visiting Nurse & Community Care (VNCC)…located in Arlington, MA offers free “Blood Pressure Clinics” to all seniors in the surrounding community. Blood pressure clinics are being offered at the following places: Medford Council on Aging, St. Anne’s Church in Somerville, Stoneham Senior Center, West Medford Community Center and Lynnfield Senior Center. Please call VNCC at 781-643-9060 or 781-396-2633 for more information.

Your blood pressure changes throughout the day. It is usually lowest when you are sleeping and it rises when you are awake. It can also rise when you are excited, nervous, or active.

What is a normal reading? A blood pressure reading consists of 2 figures: The top one is your systolic pressure (pressure in the vessels during a heartbeat) and the bottom is your diastolic pressure (pressure as the heart rests between beats). For the elderly, as with the rest of the population, a blood pressure reading below 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. In general, lower is better. However, very low blood pressure can sometimes be a cause for concern and should be checked out by a doctor.

What causes high blood pressure? There are several factors that can lead to high blood pressure. Some factors we can control while others like family history leave us predisposed to high blood pressure and heart disease. Following a heart healthy diet that is low in sodium, fat and cholesterol is recommended. Exercise and a healthy weight also play an important role in a healthy heart. 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week and keeping low stress levels are also recommended. No smoking and minimal alcohol consumption are highly advised.

Remember, the most important step you can take in controlling your blood pressure is to have it checked often! So stop by the clinic and have Mary Napoli, a registered nurse with the Greater Medford VNA & Additional Care, help monitor and track your blood pressure for free!

The Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association (GMVNA) is 501 (c) (3), non-profit organization that has been providing home health care and community health programs for more than a century. For generations, we have cared for the community through elder outreach, public health initiatives and educational support programs. Our reputation for providing community members with the care and resources they deserve has been reflected by our patients who ask for us by name when choosing their home care provider. You can trust Greater Medford Visiting Nurse Association for all of your home health needs, as we make it our mission to put the patient first.

The Greater Medford VNA located in Medford Massachusetts offers more than just visiting nurses and home health aides. The Agency also offers physical therapy, occupational therapy and medical social worker services as well.

Melissa Matthews of North Reading receives Physical Therapy services from GMVNA. Melissa says her Physical Therapist, Tricia Mucci “has been amazing”. Melissa has multiple sclerosis (MS) and has been receiving therapeutic services for over a month thru the Greater Medford VNA. Tricia Mucci has been training Melissa in gait activities using a rolling walker, high level balance activities in sitting, standing, kneeling, safety training with transfers & gait in ADL (Activities in Daily Living) activities. Tricia said, “we have been working on core strengthening as well as Lower extremities and upper extremities strengthening. I also have been training her in proper adaptive equipment to assist in her everyday activities, walking and wheelchair needs. I have been coordinating her plan of care with her doctors and social worker as well as durable medical equipment representatives.”

TELEHEALTH has arrived as one of the many benefits offered by the Greater Medford Visiting Nursing Association, (GMVNA).

GMVNA’s TELEHEALTH technology can be used in the home to monitor and manage a broad array of diseases and conditions. The programs use evidence based medicine and clinical practice guidelines from the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and other professional societies. The TELEHEALTH program will support the patients’ health outcomes, reduce risks and optimize care within the home.

Greater Medford VNA is continuously expanding their TELEHEALTH managed conditions, including but not limited to:

*** Telehealth is also available through our private pay home care division – Additional Care.***

The Greater Medford Visiting Nursing Association (GMVNA) is a non-profit organization that has been providing home health care and community health programs for more than a century. Greater Medford Visiting Nursing Association has deep roots in the community and is one of the few independent visiting nurse associations left in Massachusetts. This independent culture allows us to remain true to our mission of health promotion and disease prevention and to be trusted by both health care professionals and patients alike.

We are the preferred provider of home health care services in the greater Boston area, consistently delivering high quality, compassionate care and responsive customer service. We strive to become the standard by which local home health services are measured. You can trust Greater Medford Visiting Nursing Association for all your home health needs, as we make it our mission to put the patient first.